Star Wars - Small Favors by Paul Danner

Author:Paul Danner [Danner, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 1997-02-28T00:08:39+00:00

“This is not good.”

Cavv ducked back into the alleyway and leaned heavily against the wall. “In fact, as these things go, it’s really, really bad.”

“The patrols have increased?” Arkell asked solemnly.

Cavv nodded. “You’d think Curamelle was under martial law. Moff Caglio must have mobilized all of the city’s defense forces to search for you…” He nibbled on the tip of his thumb, and said softly, “Something just doesn’t fit here, though.”

“Vastin is very protective,” Rivoche said. “And whatever the spoiled brat wants, his daddy gets for him.”

“Not exactly the gushing adoration of a typical fiancee-to-be…” Cavv commented.

She snorted derisively. “That’s because this entire relationship is nothing but a fraud. Vastin sees me as the perfect token wife — yet another stepping stone on the road to political power. As far as I’m concerned, all he’s good for is providing cover. You see, as of late, certain high-ranking Imperials have voiced their belief that it’s time I was married and raised a generation of cannon fodder for the Emperor’s army.”

Arkell glanced at the Imperial military speeders streaking past their hiding place. “As much as I dislike agreeing with the thief, his assessment of the situation is quite accurate. And the longer we remain, the worse it will become.”

“They sent a thief to rescue me?” Rivoche asked.

“Watch your tone, young lady. You don’t know a thing about me.”

Rivoche crossed her arms and smirked. “I do know that so this hasn’t exactly been a flawless rescue…”

The thief sighed and looked to Arkell for support, but the big man shook his head and said, “We forbid our unmarried females to leave the family habitat without permission of their master.”

Rivoche spun around, staring lasers at Arkell. “You belligerent chauvinistic warmonger! I have a —”

“I’ve got it!” Cavv said suddenly.

“What?” asked Rivoche and Arkell in unison.

“I think we have two distinct groups of Imperials here. And they’re not working together.”

“That’ll be the day,” Rivoche laughed. “The Empire isn’t about to be torn apart by factions.”

“Think about it, though. The man who showed up at the penthouse was definitely ISB. He knew you were a spy, and he only brought a single squad with him. And when was the last time you saw Storm Commandos around here?” Before anyone could argue, he continued. “Besides, from what we’ve seen of Caglio’s forces, they aren’t hunting you as much as looking for you. I bet the Moff thinks you were attacked at the penthouse and have been kidnapped — probably by Rebels.”

“What you’re saying makes sense, thief,” Arkell said, “but why wouldn’t the ISB agent have shared his information?”

Cavv shrugged. “Maybe he wants the credit all to himself. We know the Imps aren’t above petty political maneuvering as long as they don’t think they’ll be caught.”

“Well, if he and his squad are all dead, then maybe no one else knows about me.” Rivoche turned to Cavv. “We could use that to our advantage, right?”

“Possibly, but I’m not sure how yet. Our situation doesn’t Improve much, though.” Cavv gently pulled her hood back up over her face.

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